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BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Only a few hundred people gathered for the 4/20 rally on the University of Colorado Friday afternoon.

Three people were arrested for sitting on the quad and refusing to leave. Ten others were cited for other offenses. Police thought there may have been more people watching the event that participating.

“The university functioned today as the university is supposed to function and that’s in the classroom,” said CU spokesperson Bronson Hilliard.

Police officers were patrolling everywhere, some of them even on ATVs. There were checkpoints at every entrance to campus where officers checked student IDs.

“I think this is ridiculous, I’m trying to go to class and they’re asking me for my ID, like such a disturbance,” said CU Junior Tia Marks.

CU closed their Boulder campus to visitors to prevent the annual event which in the past attracted thousands to smoke marijuana in public.

Norlin Quad, the traditional place for the 4/20 gathering, was closed this year and monitored by a heavy police presence. Fertilizer was placed on the lawn as an additional deterrent.

In the past, thousands have descended on the quad to light up joints in observance of April 20.

The university is making the campus off limits to everyone who is not a student or staff member.

CU said students who smoke marijuana will be issued a citation.

“This has gone beyond the protesting for marijuana, or the gathering itself, it’s the measures that have been taken… breach of constitutional rights,” said CU student Jonathan Demopoulos.

Just after 4 p.m. students were seen gathering in the quad with signs bearing marijuana leaves and waving Colorado flags.

In the past, thousands have descended on the quad to light up joints in observance of April 20. (See a photo gallery.)

Outside of campus a march began up Broadway as protesters headed towards the school at about 4 p.m.

While the crowd detoured to another field on campus, one man tried to make a run for it onto the quad at the moment of truth, 4:20 p.m. He didn’t make it very far and was tackled, handcuffed and then led away.

Police estimate some 300 people protested and about 400 watched the spectacle. It all lasted about 15 minutes.